Six days to Eurovision in Concert

30 March 2014 at 21:30 CEST

Over the course of this week, we will be previewing the acts that are going to be appearing at Eurovision In Concert, by either through interviews, or videos of the entries. Plus we will be finding out each day more about some of the background to this keenly anticipated event, which is already sold out.

That sounds good to me

Preparations started for Eurovision In Concert 2014 back in October of last year. The event, organised by a dedicated team, is run on a non profit basis. Three years ago the Foundation 'Eurovision In Concert' was created.

"There has been some changes over the years" as René Romkes states "You have to know that we're just fans as well. We had no experience at all in organising an event like this, and of course, we had some problems in the past - for example - the sound system hasn't always been our best friend. We always invested lots of money into it, and we were often told 'we have the best sound system in town'. However, we don't take anything for granted anymore. Everything is checked by us."

"Sure, nothing goes perfect and that's the charm of an event like this" continues René "last year Sietse Bakker and I hosted the press programme. When we introduced all the countries to the press we forgot Roberto Bellarosa from Belgium! He was on the list, but we just overlooked Belgium! The poor guy was waiting and waiting in the corridor."

Tomorrow we will find out more about why Eurovision In Concert is regarded as an important event for the various delegations.

Let's look at four more of the acts who will be appearing at the event.

Switzerland

The trademark of the charismatic singer, Sebalter, (or Sebastiano Paù-Lessi to give him his full name) is his fiddle, which has accompanied him throughout his musical career since the tender age of six. His Eurovision song Hunter Of Stars, which he also composed, is also the lead single off his forthcoming debut album.

Watch our interview with Sebalter

Latvia

The Aarzemnieki (or Foreigners) phenomenon began as an unexpected shock for one German’s special interest and creative approach to the Euro introduction in Latvia. In the summer of 2013, Joran Steinhauer, whilst in his home in Bohume, Germany wrote a farewell song to the Lat currency, aptly naming the song Paldies Latiņam! (Thank You, Lat) Later, the video became a Youtube sensation with more than 100,000 views in one week.

The popularity and enthusiasm surrounding the song was so large that Joran decided to pack his bags and make his way to Latvia with one thing in mind; “let’s see what happens next!”

The song Cake To Bake is composed by Guntis Veilands.

Watch Aarzemnieki perform Cake To Bake

Denmark

One of the songs we are guranteed to see in the Grand Final is the Danish entry performed by Basim. He is one of the few people that all of Denmark is on a first-name basis with. In 2008, at the age of just 15 years old Basim came fourth in the first season of X-Factor and since then has become a household name. He has composed the entry Cliche Love Song along with the songwriting team of Lasse Lindorff, Kim Novak-Zorde and Daniel Fält.

Watch Basim perform Cliche Love Song

Romania

Paul Seling and Ovi from Romania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010 with the song Playing With Fire, finishing in a highly respectable third place, but this wll be their first appearance at Eurovision In Concert. Ovi has composed their 2014 song Miracle, along with Philip Halloun, Frida Amundsen and Beyond51